Laboratory Assistant

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.

Role highlights

• Contribute to daily functioning of laboratory and facility operations
• Support research programs through maintaining a clean, safe and efficient environment
• Join the CSIRO's Agriculture & Food Operations team

About CSIRO

As Australia's national science agency, CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone, just like you, joined us and took on the challenge.

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The opportunity

The role of Technical Staff at CSIRO is to provide critical support for scientific research across a wide range of laboratory and field environments. This support involves applying standard technical practices and, where appropriate, contributing to the development of new approaches. The position operates within a centralised service team and plays an essential role in ensuring the success of various research projects.

As a member of the Agriculture and Food Operations Team, the successful candidate will contribute to the day-to-day functioning of laboratory and facility operations. The role supports a range of research programs and activities, helping to maintain a clean, safe, and efficient working environment and ensuring the seamless delivery of technical services to research staff.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Collect, clean, sterilise, and redistribute laboratory glassware and consumables daily.
• Refill and sterilise consumables such as tip boxes, glass jars, and pipettes.
• Ensure efficient operation of the laboratory, including regular lifting of up to 15kg.
• Prepare basic laboratory media (e.g., LB media, TAE buffer).
• Safely collect and dispose of laboratory waste in compliance with PC2 and OGTR standards.
• Maintain the wash-up area, including equipment upkeep, cleanliness, and stock levels.
• Liaise with the Research Support Manager regarding equipment maintenance, repairs, and ordering.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.

Role particulars

Location and office arrangements: On Site;Black Mountain, ACT

Salary: AU$59,071 to AU$71,010 pa plus 15.4% superannuation

Tenure & work schedule: Indefinite, Full-time, commencing in January 2026

Reference: 100603

As the successful candidate, you will bring:

Essential criteria

• Understanding of laboratory environments and sterilisation processes.
• Physical capacity to lift up to 15kg, walk, bend, and perform repetitive movements.
• Proven ability to follow instructions and safety protocols to ensure personal and workplace safety.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong team player with the ability to work cooperatively and respectfully with others.
• Ability to manage time and competing priorities while using initiative and sound judgement.

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrated experience or knowledge of the use of autoclaves and labware washing machines.
• Prior experience working in a PC2 environment.

For full details about this role, and other criteria, please review the Position Description.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria?

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria, there are many ways to demonstrate this. Don't let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying, please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please contact and let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. We can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements, benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more, visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australia's greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation, we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages, abilities, cultures, faiths, levels of education, genders, sexualities, diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First, Further Together, Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Gold Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens, New Zealand Citizens, and Australian Permanent Residents who are able to commence in January 2026. Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

18 September 2025, 11:00pm AEST